Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:5-11
5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
Thoughts
It sounds to me like no matter how hard Paul tried, the people in Corinth found something to be dissatisfied about. He wasn't trained enough. He was a burden. He was mean with his letters. And on and on. What reading this makes me think of is the fact that we can't control how other people feel or think. No matter how hard we try.
And I wonder today if someone needs to hear that today.
Romans 12:18 tell us, " If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." In other words, do everything in your power, but that's all you can do. We shouldn't have people upset with us because we are jerks, or we are mean, or we are unreliable, or we are lazy etc. But on the other hand, we can't control how other people feel about us. We can do everything in our power to live at peace with someone, and they may still be upset. And the hard truth is - that's on them.
I wonder if someone today reading this is carrying a burden because they feel they've done all they can in a friendship, and the other person still is harboring bitterness. It can be so defeating. My encouragement to you today is that you are responsible for your part, but not for theirs. And somehow at some point, we have to find peace with that. Make sure you've done all you can to live at peace with them. Make sure you've done the work of asking forgiveness and making things right. But you simply can't carry their bitterness. That's their issue to carry. Sometimes you just can't please people, like we see with Paul.
One major caveat though -- notice how he ends: "Because I do not love you? God knows I do!" Even in his relational frustration, Paul still loves them deeply. This is where we so easily go wrong. When people are difficult it's easy for us to write them off, talk badly about them, and assume the worst. Paul maintains his love for them. And that's where we need to stay too. Even if we can't win someone over, even if they maintain bitterness, for our part we can still show them love.